The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

Friday, May 17, 2013  Organic industry's political clout grows on Capitol Hill as consumers demand organic foods

Friday, May 03, 2013  New federal report cites many causes for dramatic bee disappearance

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  USDA makes 2nd attempt with livestock ID system meant to help control spread of animal disease

Tuesday, March 26, 2013  USDA Secretary Vilsack to announce expansion of program aimed at reducing rural poverty

Thursday, August 02, 2012  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's addition of the 218 counties means that more than half of all U.S. counties — 1,584 in 32 states — have been designated primary disaster areas this growing season, the vast majority of them mired in a drought that's considered the worst in decades.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012  Federal food program that screens produce for contamination spared until end of 2012

Tuesday, July 10, 2012  Under the Labor Department's failed proposal, paid farm workers would have to be 16 to use power equipment, such as tractors. They would have to be 18 to work at grain elevators, silos and feedlots.

Thursday, June 07, 2012  As public funding lessens, corporate support of university agricultural research draws worries

Thursday, March 08, 2012  Two more captive white-tailed deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

Thursday, February 16, 2012  APNewsBreak: Obama's budget axes USDA program that tests for deadly bacteria in fresh produce

Friday, December 02, 2011  Farmers say new labor rules could keep teens from farm jobs and fewer may go into agriculture

Wednesday, November 30, 2011  Horses could soon be slaughtered in US for human food after Congress lifts ban on inspections

Tuesday, April 12, 2011  Aided by budget tricks, Obama prevents cuts to favorites like Pell grants, Head Start

Tuesday, August 24, 2010  Small farmer and Agriculture Committee member U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) Tuesday announced farmers in all 25 counties of the 9th District of Missouri are eligible for Agriculture Department disaster assistance due to losses caused by excessive rainfall, flash flooding, flooding and high winds that occurred between February 1 through July 15.

Thursday, July 22, 2010  President Barack Obama apologized Thursday to former federal official Shirley Sherrod over her ouster in the midst of a racially tinged firestorm that enveloped the White House.